Knowledge Base

Porting a Phone Number to handSIP

Porting a telephone number is a multi-step process. The time frame to port numbers to handSIP can take up to four (4) weeks depending on the type of number you are porting, the amount of numbers in the port request, and the country in which the number is located. The process includes a lot of coordination between your current carrier as the RespOrg (responsible organization) to transfer to handSIP.

  1. Submit your Porting request.
    You will need the following for a successful request:

    • The first and last name of the authorized user or owner.
    • The current service address. This must be an actual physical address. PO Boxes are not considered valid addresses.
    • A Letter of Authorization (LOA) signed by the authorized user and/or owner of the number(s). Note that the information on your LOA must match the authorized user name and service address provided by your current carrier.
    • A Customer Service Record (CSR). If you do not have a CSR, you can request one from the current carrier.
    • An electronic copy of the most recent phone bill, within the last 30 days. The bill must include the account, owner/authorized user name, and address information for all the numbers you wish to port.
  2. Number gets approved by handSIP.
    If everything in Step 1 was done correctly, you can expect your number port request to be approved within 24-48 hours.
  3. Number(s) submitted to Carrier Partner.
    This can take up to 24 hours. Your request is then submitted to the losing carrier as a port request. During this time, it is imperative that not close your account with your carrier and keep your numbers active.
  4. Carrier Partner reaches out to Losing Carrier.
    This can take up to (1) week to complete.
  5. Response from carrier.
    At this point, your request will either be approved or rejected:

    • Approved: If approved, you will receive a port date of when your number will ported to handSIP.
    • Rejection: There are a variety of reasons for port request rejection, such as an incorrect PIN for an account, the address or zip code on the request doesn’t match the current carrier’s record, or a port request was submitted by an unauthorized user on the account.

    If your request is rejected, you will need to contact your losing carrier to find out what is required to remedy the issue and move forward. Depending on the needs of the carrier, this will add an undetermined amount of time to your porting request.

  6. handSIP contacts you with your port date information.
    handSIP will communicate your scheduled port date via email. This is the date your number will be transfer to handSIP. Once your port date has passed and you’ve verified the number(s) has transferred to your handSIP account, you can begin using your number(s).

For additional questions regarding number porting, please email support@imecominc.com.